Vítor Silva told the Lusa agency that the fire destroyed an area of pasture, harvest and bush and was subdued at 2:22am.

Five firefighters were wounded in the fight against the flames.

Two firefighters were seriously injured in the fire and suffered burns, both from the Cuban corporation, were transported by helicopter, one to Hospital de Santa Maria and the other to Hospital de São José, both in Lisbon, said the commander of the firemen.

Two other firefighters, who suffered minor injuries, one from the Ferreira do Alentejo corporation and the other from Castro Verde, were both assisted at the scene.

The fifth wounded, also lightly, is a firefighter of the Alvito corporation, who was transported to the Basic Emergency Service (SUB) of the Castro Verde Health Centre.

The fire mobilised 165 operatives, with the support of 60 vehicles. During the afternoon of Monday, 13 July, three air means were also involved in the combat.

The National Road 2 was cut off to traffic between Castro Verde and the town of Carregueiro and Main Route 2 between the village of Entradas and Castro Verde, both having reopened to traffic on Monday night, according to a source from the GNR.

The warning was given at 17:07 on Monday, with the "large" fire going on in Lagoa da Mó, near Casével, Castro Verde municipality, said the District Command of Socorro Operations in Beja.

GNR will investigate the causes of the fire, according to a security force source.